Control device, medical device, and medical device system

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a control device, a medical device, and a medical device system that enable to provide a user who tries to connect the medical device to the control device with user support information including a result of compatibility determination between the devices. 
     A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is provided with a connector joint to which a connector unit provided on a cable extending from a medical device is connected, a communication unit that performs radio communication with the connector unit by proximity radio communication, and a notification unit that notifies a user of user support information based on information from the medical device received by the communication unit. The present disclosure is applicable to an endoscopic surgical system, for example.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a control device, a medical device,and a medical device system, and especially relates to a control device,a medical device, and a medical device system capable of determiningcompatibility between the control device and the medical device whichmay be connected to the control device via a cable.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, an endoscopic surgical procedure using an endoscope isperformed in a medical field instead of a laparotomy conventionallyadopted. An endoscopic surgical system is arranged in an operating roomwhere the endoscopic surgical procedure is performed.

The endoscopic surgical system includes the endoscope, a camera controlunit (CCU) that controls the endoscope, an energy treatment tool, and adevice for treatment tool that supplies high-frequency current thereto.

In the endoscopic surgical system described above, a connector providedat the end of a cable extending from the endoscope is inserted into aninput interface (connector insertion port) of the CCU, so that both areconnected to each other. That is, if shapes of the connector insertionport and the connector are roughly matched, various types of endoscopesmay be physically connected to the CCU.

However, even if a certain endoscope may be physically connected to theCCU, in a case where the CCU and the endoscope are not compatible witheach other, there might be a problem that an imaged image is notdisplayed, the image is displayed but with disturbance, or an unintendedimage is displayed. Furthermore, at least one of the CCU and theendoscope might be electrically damaged, or at least one of theconnector insertion port of the CCU and the connector of the endoscopemight be physically damaged.

Therefore, as a method of coping with the above-mentioned problem, thereconventionally is proposed a method of providing indices representingcompatible standards and their version numbers with colors in thevicinity of the connector insertion port of the CCU and on the connectorof the endoscope (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1).

According to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user maycompare the color of the index provided on the CCU with the color of theindex provided on the connector of the endoscope to determine whetherthe both are compatible with each other.

CITATION LIST Patent Document Patent Document 1: Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 5-317249 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems tobe Solved by the Invention

However, the method of Patent Document 1 merely provides a determinationcriterion to the user, and the user should finally determine. Therefore,it is desirable that a mechanism capable of determining whether the CCUand the endoscope connected thereto are compatible with each otherappears.

Meanwhile, such a problem that connectability should be determined isalso present not only in a combination of the CCU and the endoscope butalso in a combination of other devices connected via a cable such as acombination of a device for treatment tool 7 and an energy treatmenttool 3, so that it is expected that they may also be solved by a similarmethod.

Hereinafter, out of the two devices connected via the cable having theabove-mentioned problem, a device (CCU and the like) on a side on whichthe connector insertion port is provided is referred to as a controldevice, and a device (endoscope and the like) on a side connected to thecontrol device via the cable is referred to as a medical device.

The present disclosure has been achieved in view of such a situation,and an object thereof is to provide a user who tries to connect themedical device to the control device with user support informationincluding a result of a compatibility determination between the devices.

Solutions to Problems

A control device according to a first aspect of the present disclosureis provided with a connector joint to which a connector unit provided ona cable extending from a medical device is connected, a communicationunit that performs radio communication with the connector unit byproximity radio communication, and a notification unit that notifies auser of user support information based on information from the medicaldevice received by the communication unit.

The notification unit may notify the user whether the control device andthe medical device are officially compatible with each other as the usersupport information.

The control device according to the first aspect of the presentdisclosure may be further provided with a compatibility determinationunit that determines whether the control device and the medical deviceare officially compatible with each other on the basis of attributeinformation of the medical device received by the communication unit, inwhich the notification unit may notify the user of a determinationresult of the compatibility determination unit as the user supportinformation.

A determination criterion when the compatibility determination unitdetermines whether the control device and the medical device areofficially compatible with each other on the basis of the attributeinformation of the medical device is able to be updated.

The control device according to the first aspect of the presentdisclosure may further be provided with a connection determination unitthat determines whether electrical connection between the control deviceand the medical device is stable, in which the notification unit mayfurther notify the user of a determination result of the connectiondetermination unit as the user support information in a state where theconnector unit is connected to the connector joint.

The notification unit may notify the user whether an orientation of theconnector unit matches the connector joint as the user supportinformation in a state where the connector unit is not connected to theconnector joint.

The notification unit may notify whether the medical device is alreadysubjected to sterilization treatment as the user support information onthe basis of the information from the medical device received by thecommunication unit.

The notification unit may notify of information regarding the number oftimes of use or using time of the medical device as the user supportinformation on the basis of the information from the medical devicereceived by the communication unit.

In the first aspect of the present disclosure, the radio communicationis performed with the connector unit of the medical device by proximityradio communication and the user is notified of the user supportinformation based on the information received from the medical device.

A medical device according to a second aspect of the present disclosureis provided with a connector unit for connecting to a control device viaa cable, a communication unit that performs radio communication with thecontrol device by proximity radio communication, and a notification unitthat notifies a user of user support information based on informationfrom the control device received by the communication unit.

The notification unit may notify the user whether the control device andthe medical device are officially compatible with each other as the usersupport information.

The communication unit may transmit attribute information of the medicaldevice to the control device and receive compatibility informationindicating whether the control device and the medical device areofficially compatible with each other transmitted from the controldevice, and the notification unit may notify the user whether thecontrol device and the medical device are officially compatible witheach other as the user support information on the basis of the receivedcompatibility information.

The medical device according to the second aspect of the presentdisclosure may further be provided with a compatibility determinationunit that determines whether the control device and the medical deviceare officially compatible with each other on the basis of attributeinformation of the control device received by the communication unit, inwhich the notification unit notifies the user of a determination resultof the compatibility determination unit as the user support information.

A determination criterion when the compatibility determination unitdetermines whether the control device and the medical device areofficially compatible with each other on the basis of the attributeinformation of the control device is able to be updated.

The notification unit may further notify the user whether electricalconnection between the control device and the medical device is stableas the user support information in a state where the connector unit isconnected to the control device.

The notification unit may notify the user whether an orientation of theconnector unit matches a connector joint of the control device as theuser support information in a state where the connector unit is notconnected to the control device.

The notification unit may notify the user whether sterilizationtreatment of the medical device is already performed as the user supportinformation.

The notification unit may notify the user of information regarding thenumber of times of use or using time of the medical device as the usersupport information.

In the second aspect of the present disclosure, the radio communicationis performed with the control device by proximity radio communicationand the user is notified of the user support information based on theinformation from the control device.

A medical device system according to a third aspect of the presentdisclosure is a medical device system provided with a control device anda medical device connected to the control device via a cable, in whichthe control device is provided with a connector joint connected to aconnector unit of the medical device, a first communication unit thatperforms radio communication with the connector unit of the medicaldevice by proximity radio communication, and a first notification unitthat notifies a user of user support information based on informationfrom the medical device received by the communication unit, and theconnector unit of the medical device is provided with a secondcommunication unit that performs radio communication with the firstcommunication unit of the control device by proximity radiocommunication, and a second notification unit that notifies the user ofthe user support information based on information from the controldevice received by the second communication unit.

In the third aspect of the present disclosure, the radio communicationis performed between the control device and the connector unit of themedical device by proximity radio communication and the user is notifiedof the user support information based on the information from themedical device.

Effects of the Invention

According to the first to third aspects of the present disclosure, it ispossible to provide the user support information including the result ofthe compatibility determination between the devices to the user whotries to connect the medical device to the control device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of anendoscopic surgical system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of amedical device system to which the present disclosure is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of aconnector joint provided on a control device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of aconnector unit of the medical device.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of notifying a user ofcompatibility.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of notifying the user of thecompatibility.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a connection determining process.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example ofthe medical device system to which the present disclosure is applied.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A best mode for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter,referred to as an embodiment) is hereinafter described in detail withreference to the drawings.

<Configuration Example of Endoscopic Surgical System Including MedicalDevice System to which Present Disclosure is Applied>

First, a configuration example of an endoscopic surgical systemincluding a medical device system to which the present disclosure isapplied is described.

FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration example of the endoscopic surgicalsystem arranged in an operating room where an endoscopic surgicalprocedure is performed.

An endoscopic surgical system 1 includes an endoscope (also referred toas a laparoscope) 2 and an energy treatment tool 3 to be inserted into abody of a patient, and a camera control (CCU) 5, a light source device6, a device for treatment tool 7 and the like to which they areconnected by cables. A foot switch 15 is further connected to the CCU 5and the device for treatment tool 7. The endoscopic surgical system 1also includes a pneumoperitoneum device 8, a display device 9, arecorder 10, and a printer 11. The units from the CCU 5 to the printer11 are mounted on a movable cart 14.

The endoscope 2 outputs a moving image signal of an affected site 16imaged by means of an observation optical system to the CCU 5 via avideo cable. Also, the endoscope 2 is connected to the light sourcedevice 6 via a light guide cable. As a result, the endoscope 2 mayirradiate the affected site 16 by switching light of variouswavelengths.

The energy treatment tool 3 connected to the device for treatment tool 7via an electric cable is used when resecting the affected site 16 byelectric heat, for example, by high-frequency current supplied from thedevice for treatment tool 7.

The CCU 5 performs predetermined signal processing on the moving imagesignal from the endoscope 2, outputs a result thereof to the displaydevice 9, and displays an endoscopic image (moving image) of theaffected site 16.

The light source device 6 supplies light to the endoscope 2 via thelight guide cable. Meanwhile, there also is a case where the lightsource device 6 supplies power for power supply via the cable and alight source is provided on a side of the endoscope 2. The device fortreatment tool 7 supplies the high-frequency current to the energytreatment tool 3 via the electric cable. The pneumoperitoneum device 8having an air supplying/sucking function may supply air to, for example,the abdominal region in the body of the patient.

The display device 9 displays the moving image of the affected site 16imaged by the endoscope 2. The recorder 10 records the moving image andthe like of the affected site 16 imaged by the endoscope 2. The printer11 prints the image and the like of the affected site 16 imaged by theendoscope 2.

The foot switch 15 outputs a trigger signal corresponding to a footoperation by an operator, an assistant and the like to the CCU 5, thedevice for treatment tool 7 and the like. As a result, the operator,assistant and the like may control the CCU 5, the device for treatmenttool 7 and the like with the toes.

In the endoscopic surgical procedure using the endoscopic surgicalsystem 1, instead of incising the abdominal wall and opening theabdomen, opening tools referred to as trocars 12 a and 12 b are attachedto several positions of the abdominal wall and the endoscope 2, theenergy treatment tool 3, forceps 4 and the like are inserted into thebody from the trocars 12 a and 12 b. Then, treatment such as resectionof the affected site 16 with the energy treatment tool 3 and the like isperformed while the moving image of the affected site (tumor and thelike) 16 imaged by the endoscope 2 is watched in real time. Meanwhile,the endoscope 2, the energy treatment tool 3, the forceps 4 and the likeare held by the operator, the assistant, a scopist, a robot and thelike.

Meanwhile, in the endoscopic surgical system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, acombination of the endoscope 2 and the CCU 5, a combination of theendoscope 2 and the light source device 6, a combination of the energytreatment tool 3 and the device for treatment tool 7 and the likecorrespond to a combination of the medical device and a control devicein the present disclosure. Also, although not illustrated, a surgicalmicroscope, the CCU corresponding thereto and the like in a microscopicsurgical system are also similar to them.

<Configuration Example of Medical Device System to which PresentDisclosure is Applied>

FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration example of the medical device systemto which the present disclosure is applied. A medical device system 30is formed of a control device 31, a medical device 41, and a writingdevice 51.

The control device 31 corresponding to the CCU 5 and the like in theabove-described endoscopic surgical system 1, for example, includes aconnector joint (connector insertion port) 32. The control device 31controls the medical device 41 connected thereto and processes signalstransmitted from the medical device 41.

The medical device 41 corresponding to the endoscope 2 in theabove-described endoscopic surgical system 1, for example, is connectedto the control device 31 via a cable 42. Specifically, when the userinserts a connector unit 43 provided at the end of the cable 42extending from the medical device 41 into the connector joint 32 of thecontrol device 31, the control device 31 and the medical device 41 arephysically and electrically connected to each other.

The writing device 51 corresponds to a sterilization treatment deviceand the like (not illustrated) arranged in the operating room togetherwith the above-described endoscopic surgical system 1 to performsterilization treatment on a used medical device 41. The writing device51 may write predetermined information (for example, informationindicating whether the sterilization treatment is already performed andthe like) in a storage unit 73 (FIG. 4) of the medical device 41.

Next, FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration example of the connector joint32 provided on the control device 31. The connector joint 32 includes acommunication unit 61, a determination unit 62, a notification unit 63,a writing unit 64, and a signal transmission unit 65.

In a case where the connector unit 43 of the medical device 41 isbrought closer to the connector joint 32 by near field communication(NFC) (short-range radio communication technology) represented by FeliCa(trademark), the communication unit 61 performs radio communication witha communication unit 71 of the connector unit 43 (FIG. 4) and obtainsattribute information of the medical device 41 and orientationinformation of the connector unit 43 from the connector unit 43 tooutput to the determination unit 62. Also, the communication unit 61transmits results of compatibility determination, electrical connectiondetermination, and orientation determination by the determination unit62 to the communication unit 71. Meanwhile, the communication betweenthe communication unit 61 and the communication unit 71 may adopt ashort-range radio communication technology other than NFC.

On the basis of attribute information of the control device 31 which isheld and the attribute information of the medical device 41 input fromthe communication unit 61, the determination unit 62 determines whetherthe control device 31 and the medical device 41 are officiallycompatible with each other (compatibility determination) and outputs theresult of the compatibility determination to the communication unit 61and the notification unit 63.

Herein, “officially compatible” in this specification is intended tomean a relationship in which the manufacturer, distributor, officialimport agent and the like of at least one of the control device 31 andthe medical device 41 confirm that the control device 31 and the medicaldevice 41 are physically connectable to each other without trouble, andthat the control device 31 and the medical device 41 normally operate ina case where they are connected to each other. However, the “normaloperation” also includes a state where backward compatibility ismaintained, a state in which a part of functions of the control device31 or the medical device 41 is restricted and the like depending on asoftware version of the control device 31 and the medical device 41.

Meanwhile, for example, as the compatibility determination by thedetermination unit 62, it is also possible to allow the determinationunit 62 to hold a look-up table (LUT) in advance. In this case, it isdesirable that the LUT may be always automatically updated to the latestone. Alternatively, the compatibility determination may also be executedby a unit other than the determination unit 62. For example, this may beexecuted by the medical device 41 side or may be executed on apredetermined server.

Also, after the connector unit 43 is inserted into the connector joint32, the determination unit 62 determines whether the electricalconnection therebetween is stable (electrical connection determination)and outputs the result of the electrical connection determination to thenotification unit 63.

Furthermore, the determination unit 62 determines whether theorientation in a case of connecting the connector joint 32 is correct(orientation determination) on the basis of the orientation informationof the connector unit 43 and outputs the result of the orientationdetermination to the notification unit 63.

The notification unit 63 includes a mechanism for notifying the user ofthe results of the compatibility determination, the electric connectiondetermination, and the orientation determination by the determinationunit 62. Specifically, this includes any one of a light emitter thatflashes and lights in plural colors, an alarm that generates a warningsound and the like, a vibrator that vibrates, a display that displayscharacter strings, icons, pictures and the like, an output interfacethat outputs character string, icons, pictures and the like to anexternal monitor and the like.

The writing unit 64 writes predetermined information in the storage unit73 of the medical device 41 via the communication unit 61. The signaltransmission unit 65 communicates signals (control signal, video signaland the like) between the control device 31 and the medical device 41after the connection is established therebetween.

Next, FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration example of the connector unit43 provided at the end of the cable 42 extending from the medical device41. The connector unit 43 includes the communication unit 71, anotification unit 72, the storage unit 73, a sensor unit 74, and asignal transmission unit 75.

In a case where the connector unit 43 is brought closer to the connectorjoint 32 of the control device 31, the communication unit 71 performsthe radio communication with the communication unit 61 of the connectorjoint 32 by NFC and transmits the attribute information of the medicaldevice 41 and the orientation information indicating the orientation ofthe connector unit 43 stored in the storage unit 73 to the communicationunit 61. Also, the communication unit 71 supplies the results of thecompatibility determination, the electrical connection determination,and the orientation determination transmitted from the connector joint32 to the notification unit 72. Meanwhile, by using NFC, thecommunication unit 71 may obtain driving power thereof byelectromagnetic induction based on an electromagnetic wave transmittedfrom the communication unit 61. The communication unit 71 may also bedriven using power supply on the medical device 41 side.

The notification unit 72 includes a mechanism for notifying the user ofthe results of the compatibility determination, the electricalconnection determination, and the orientation determination.Specifically, this includes a light emitter that flashes and lights inplural colors and the like.

The storage unit 73 stores the attribute information of the medicaldevice 41. The storage unit 73 also stores predetermined informationtransmitted from the connector joint 32 or the writing device 51 via thecommunication unit 71.

The sensor unit 74 detects the orientation of the connector unit 43 andnotifies the communication unit 71 of the orientation informationindicating a detection result.

The signal transmission unit 75 communicates signals (control signal,video signal and the like) between the control device 31 and the medicaldevice 41 after the connection is established therebetween.

Next, FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a method of notifying the user ofthe results of the compatibility determination, the electricalconnection determination, and the orientation determination by thenotification unit 72 of the connector unit 43.

As illustrated in A of FIG. 5, in a case where the connector unit 43does not approach a range at a predetermined distance from the connectorjoint 32, the light emitter of the notification unit 72 is turned off.Thereafter, when the connector unit 43 approaches the range at apredetermined distance from the connector joint 32, the compatibilitydetermination is performed, and as illustrated in B of FIG. 5, there isnotification of the result of the compatibility determination by a colorand a state of flashing and lighting of the light emitter of thenotification unit 72. Furthermore, when the connector unit 43 isinserted into the connector joint 32, the electrical connectiondetermination is performed, and as illustrated in C of FIG. 5, there isnotification of the result of the electrical connection determination bythe color and the state of flashing and lighting of the light emitter ofthe notification unit 72. Meanwhile, a specific example of the color andthe state of flashing and lighting of the light emitter of thenotification unit 72 is described later.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a method of notifying the user of theresult of the orientation determination by the notification unit 72 ofthe connector unit 43.

In a case where the connector unit 43 does not approach the range at apredetermined distance from the connector joint 32, the notificationunit is turned off. Thereafter, when the connector unit 43 approachesthe range at a predetermined distance from the connector joint 32, theorientation determination is performed. The color and the state offlashing and lighting of the notification unit 72 are different betweena case where the result of the orientation determination is NG (B ofFIG. 6) and a case where the result of the orientation determination isOK (C of FIG. 6). Meanwhile, it is also possible that execution of theorientation determination and notification thereof are performed only ina case where the result of the compatibility determination is OK.

<Connectability Notifying Process of Medical Device System 30>

Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a connectability notifyingprocess by the medical device system 30.

At step S1, the communication unit 61 of the connector joint 32 standsby until a counterpart with which the radio communication may beperformed by NFC (in this case, the communication unit 71 of theconnector unit 43) enters a communication range. In a case where thecounterpart with which the radio communication may be performed entersthe communication range, the procedure shifts to step S2.

At step S2, the communication unit 61 starts the radio communicationwith the communication unit 71 of the connector unit 43 and obtains theattribute information of the medical device 41, the orientationinformation of the connector unit 43, and the information indicatingwhether the sterilization treatment is already performed stored in thestorage unit 73 of the connector unit 43 to output to the determinationunit 62.

At step S3, the determination unit 62 performs the compatibilitydetermination on the basis of the attribute information of the controldevice 31 which is held and the attribute information of the medicaldevice 41 input from the communication unit 61 and outputs the resultthereof to the communication unit 61 and the notification unit 63. Thecommunication unit 61 transmits the result of the compatibilitydetermination by the determination unit 62 to the communication unit 71.

In a case where it is determined to be compatible in the compatibilitydetermination at step S3 (the control device 31 and the medical device41 are officially compatible with each other), the procedure shifts tostep S4.

At step S4, the notification unit 63 of the connector joint 32 and thenotification unit 72 of the connector unit 43 notify the user that it ispossible connect. Specifically, for example, a built-in light emitterflashes in blue.

Next, at step S5, on the basis of the information indicating whether themedical device 41 is already subjected to the sterilization treatmentinput from the communication unit 61, the determination unit 62determines whether the medical device 41 is already subjected to thesterilization treatment and notifies the notification unit 63 of thedetermination result. In a case where the sterilization treatment isalready performed, the procedure shifts to step S6.

At step S6, the notification unit 63 of the connector joint 32 notifiesthe user that the sterilization treatment is already performed.Specifically, for example, the light emitter currently flashing in blueis changed to flash in green. At that time, the notification unit 72 ofthe connector unit 43 may similarly change the light emitter flashing inblue to flash in green.

When the user who confirms flashing in green inserts the connector unit43 into the connector joint 32, the determination unit 62 performs theelectrical connection determination between the connector unit 43 andthe connector joint 32 at step S7 and outputs the result thereof to thecommunication unit 61 and the notification unit 63. The communicationunit 61 transmits the result of the electrical connection by thedetermination unit 62 to the communication unit 71.

In a case where the result of the electrical connection determination atstep S7 is negative (the electrical connection between the connectorunit 43 and the connector joint 32 is unstable), the procedure shifts tostep S8.

At step S8, the notification unit 63 of the connector joint 32 and thenotification unit 72 of the connector unit 43 notify the user that theelectrical connection is unstable. Specifically, for example, the lightemitter currently flashing in green is changed to flash in yellow.Thereafter, the procedure returns to step S7.

In a case where the user who confirms flashing in yellow inserts theconnector unit 43 into the connector joint 32 again and the result ofthe electrical connection determination at step S7 is positive(electrical connection between the connector unit 43 and the connectorjoint 32 is stable), the procedure shifts to step S9.

At step S9, the notification unit 63 of the connector joint 32 and thenotification unit 72 of the connector unit 43 notify the user that theelectrical connection is stable. Specifically, for example, the lightemitter currently flashing in green is changed to light in green.Thereafter, signals (control signal, video signal and the like) arecommunicated between the signal transmission unit 65 of the connectorjoint 32 and the signal transmission unit 75 of the connector unit 43.Also, the writing unit 64 writes information indicating that the medicaldevice 41 is already used after the sterilization treatment (this meansthat the device is not sterilized) in the storage unit 73 of theconnector unit 43 via the communication unit 61.

Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined that it is not compatible inthe compatibility determination at step S3 (the control device 31 andthe medical device 41 are not officially compatible with each other),the procedure shifts to step S10. Additionally, in a case where it isdetermined that the sterilization treatment is not already performed inthe determination at step S5 also, the procedure shifts to step S10.

At step S10, the notification unit 63 of the connector joint 32 and thenotification unit 72 of the connector unit 43 notify the user that it isnot possible to connect. Specifically, for example, the built-in lightemitter flashes in red. The connectability notifying process isfinished.

Meanwhile, the process at each step S of the connectability notifyingprocess may be performed in time series as described above or may beperformed in parallel.

According to the connectability notifying process, in a case where thenotification units 63 and 72 flash in green after flashing in blue (in acase where they are devices officially compatible with each other andthe sterilization treatment is already performed), the user may insertthe connector unit 43 into the connector joint 32. Thereafter, if thenotification units 63 and 72 light in green, they may be directly usednormally.

After the connector unit 43 is inserted into the connector joint 32, ina case where the notification units 63 and 72 flash in yellow (in a casewhere electrical connection is unstable), it is possible to insert theconnector unit 43 into the connector joint 32 again. Thereafter, if thenotification units 63 and 72 light in green, they may be directly usednormally.

In a case where the notification units 63 and 72 flash in red withoutflashing in blue (in a case where they are not officially compatiblewith each other), the user cannot connect the medical device 41 to thecontrol device 31.

In a case where the notification units 63 and 72 flash in red afterflashing in blue (in a case where the devices are officially compatiblewith each other but not sterilized), the user should perform thesterilization treatment on the medical device 41 by the sterilizationtreatment device (writing device 51). In this case, when thesterilization treatment is finished, information indicating that thesterilization treatment is completed is written in the storage unit 73of the connector unit 43 by the sterilization treatment device (writingdevice 51).

As described above, according to the medical device system 30, there maybe notification of user support information indicating whether themedical device 41 is officially compatible with the control device 31,whether the medical device 41 is subjected to the sterilizationtreatment, whether the electrical connection is stable (whether theconnector unit 43 is not half-inserted), and whether the orientation ofthe connector 43 with respect to the connector joint 32 is correct. As aresult, it is possible to prevent the user from causing a mistake oraccident in the medical field.

<Another Configuration Example of Medical Device System to which PresentDisclosure is Applied>

FIG. 8 illustrates a configuration example of the medical device systemto which the present disclosure is applied. A medical device system 80allows a seal-shaped communication device capable of performing theradio communication by NFC to perform the above-described series ofprocesses.

That is, a seal-shaped communication device 82 is affixed beside aconnector insertion port 81 of the control device 31. The seal-shapedcommunication device 82 is obtained by omitting the writing unit 64 andthe signal transmission unit 65 from the configuration example of theconnector joint 32 illustrated in FIG. 3. However, as for theseal-shaped communication device 82, it is necessary to register theattribute information of the control device 31 to which this is affixedby a certain method.

A seal-shaped communication device 92 is affixed to a connector unit 91provided at the end of the cable 42 extending from the medical device41. The seal-shaped communication device 92 is obtained by omitting thesensor unit 74 and the signal transmission unit 75 from theconfiguration example of the connector unit 43 illustrated in FIG. 4.However, as for the seal-shaped communication device 92, it is necessaryto register the attribute information of the medical device 41 to whichthis is affixed by a certain method.

By using the seal-shaped communication devices 82 and 92 as in themedical device system 80 illustrated in FIG. 8, it becomes possible torealize a function equivalent to that of the above-described medicaldevice system 30 by so-called post-attachment.

<Example of Information Stored in Storage Unit 73 of Connector Unit 43>

Although the attribute information of the medical device 41, theinformation indicating whether the sterilization treatment is alreadyperformed and the like are stored in the storage unit 73 of theconnector unit 43 in the description above, in addition to them, forexample, the number of times of use and using time of the medical device41, the number of times of connection to the control device 31, the factthat this breaks in a case where this breaks and the like may be stored.The information may be used for maintenance of the medical device 41,for example.

For example, in a case where the control device 31 corresponds to thelight source device 6 in FIG. 1 and the medical device 41 corresponds tolighting of the endoscope 2, a type of the light source and the like maybe stored. This information may be used, for example, for white balance(WB) processing on the moving image which is imaged.

In addition, for example, in a case where the control device 31corresponds to the device for treatment tool 7 in FIG. 1 and the medicaldevice 41 corresponds to the energy treatment tool 3, a voltage value, aresistance value and the like of a tip end of the energy treatment tool3 (a portion which applies thermal treatment to the affected site) maybe stored. This information may be used, for example, for maintenance ofthe energy treatment tool 3 and adjustment of an output of the highfrequency current to be supplied.

Meanwhile, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited tothe above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be madewithout departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure may also have the following configurations.

(1)

A control device including:

a connector joint to which a connector unit provided on a cableextending from a medical device is connected;

a communication unit that performs radio communication with theconnector unit by proximity radio communication; and

a notification unit that notifies a user of user support informationbased on information from the medical device received by thecommunication unit.

(2)

The control device according to (1) described above,

in which the notification unit notifies the user whether the controldevice and the medical device are officially compatible with each otheras the user support information.

(3)

The control device according to (1) or (2) described above, furtherincluding:

a compatibility determination unit that determines whether the controldevice and the medical device are officially compatible with each otheron the basis of attribute information of the medical device received bythe communication unit,

in which the notification unit notifies the user of a determinationresult of the compatibility determination unit as the user supportinformation.

(4)

The control device according to (3) described above,

in which a determination criterion when the compatibility determinationunit determines whether the control device and the medical device areofficially compatible with each other on the basis of the attributeinformation of the medical device is able to be updated.

(5)

The control device according to any one of (1) to (4) described above,further including:

a connection determination unit that determines whether electricalconnection between the control device and the medical device is stable,

in which the notification unit further notifies the user of adetermination result of the connection determination unit as the usersupport information in a state where the connector unit is connected tothe connector joint.

(6)

The control device according to any one of (1) to (5) described above,

in which the notification unit notifies the user whether an orientationof the connector unit matches the connector joint as the user supportinformation in a state where the connector unit is not connected to theconnector joint.

(7)

The control device according to any one of (1) to (6) described above,

in which the notification unit notifies whether the medical device isalready subjected to sterilization treatment as the user supportinformation on the basis of the information from the medical devicereceived by the communication unit.

(8)

The control device according to any one of (1) to (7) described above,

in which the notification unit notifies of information regarding thenumber of times of use or using time of the medical device as the usersupport information on the basis of the information from the medicaldevice received by the communication unit.

(9)

A medical device including:

a connector unit for connecting to a control device via a cable;

a communication unit that performs radio communication with the controldevice by proximity radio communication; and

a notification unit that notifies a user of user support informationbased on information from the control device received by thecommunication unit.

(10)

The medical device according to (9) described above,

in which the notification unit notifies the user whether the controldevice and the medical device are officially compatible with each otheras the user support information.

(11)

The medical device according to (9) or (10) described above,

in which the communication unit transmits attribute information of themedical device to the control device and receives compatibilityinformation indicating whether the control device and the medical deviceare officially compatible with each other transmitted from the controldevice, and

the notification unit notifies the user whether the control device andthe medical device are officially compatible with each other as the usersupport information on the basis of the received compatibilityinformation.

(12)

The medical device according to (9) or (10) described above, furtherincluding:

a compatibility determination unit that determines whether the controldevice and the medical device are officially compatible with each otheron the basis of attribute information of the control device received bythe communication unit,

in which the notification unit notifies the user of a determinationresult of the compatibility determination unit as the user supportinformation.

(13)

The medical device according to any one of (9) to (12) described above,in which

a determination criterion when the compatibility determination unitdetermines whether the control device and the medical device areofficially compatible with each other on the basis of the attributeinformation of the control device is able to be updated.

(14)

The medical device according to any one of (9) to (13) described above,

in which the notification unit further notifies the user whetherelectrical connection between the control device and the medical deviceis stable as the user support information in a state where the connectorunit is connected to the control device.

(15)

The medical device according to any one of (9) to (14) described above,

in which the notification unit notifies the user whether an orientationof the connector unit matches a connector joint of the control device asthe user support information in a state where the connector unit is notconnected to the control device.

(16)

The medical device according to any one of (9) to (15) described above,

in which the notification unit notifies the user whether sterilizationtreatment of the medical device is already performed as the user supportinformation.

(17)

The medical device according to any one of (9) to (16) described above,

in which the notification unit notifies the user of informationregarding the number of times of use or using time of the medical deviceas the user support information.

(18)

A medical device system including: a control device; and a medicaldevice connected to the control device via a cable,

in which the control device is provided with:

a connector joint connected to a connector unit of the medical device;

a first communication unit that performs radio communication with theconnector unit of the medical device by proximity radio communication;

a first notification unit that notifies a user of user supportinformation based on information from the medical device received by thecommunication unit; and

the connector unit of the medical device is provided with:

a second communication unit that performs radio communication with thefirst communication unit of the control device by proximity radiocommunication; and

a second notification unit that notifies the user of the user supportinformation based on information from the control device received by thesecond communication unit.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Endoscopic surgical system-   2 Endoscope-   3 Energy treatment tool-   5 CCU-   6 Light source device-   7 Device for treatment tool-   30 Medical device system-   31 Control device-   32 Connector joint-   41 Medical device-   42 Cable-   43 Connector unit-   61 Communication unit-   62 Determination unit-   63 Notification unit-   64 Writing unit-   65 Signal transmission unit-   71 Communication unit-   72 Notification unit-   73 Storage unit-   74 Sensor unit-   75 Signal transmission unit-   81 Connector insertion port-   82 Seal-shaped communication device-   91 Connector-   92 Seal-shaped communication device

1. A control device comprising: a connector joint to which a connectorunit provided on a cable extending from a medical device is connected; acommunication unit that performs radio communication with the connectorunit by proximity radio communication; and a notification unit thatnotifies a user of user support information based on information fromthe medical device received by the communication unit.
 2. The controldevice according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies theuser whether the control device and the medical device are officiallycompatible with each other as the user support information.
 3. Thecontrol device according to claim 2, further comprising: a compatibilitydetermination unit that determines whether the control device and themedical device are officially compatible with each other on the basis ofattribute information of the medical device received by thecommunication unit, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of adetermination result of the compatibility determination unit as the usersupport information.
 4. The control device according to claim 3, whereina determination criterion when the compatibility determination unitdetermines whether the control device and the medical device areofficially compatible with each other on the basis of the attributeinformation of the medical device is able to be updated.
 5. The controldevice according to claim 2, further comprising: a connectiondetermination unit that determines whether electrical connection betweenthe control device and the medical device is stable, wherein thenotification unit further notifies the user of a determination result ofthe connection determination unit as the user support information in astate where the connector unit is connected to the connector joint. 6.The control device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unitnotifies the user whether an orientation of the connector unit matchesthe connector joint as the user support information in a state where theconnector unit is not connected to the connector joint.
 7. The controldevice according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifieswhether the medical device is already subjected to sterilizationtreatment as the user support information on the basis of theinformation from the medical device received by the communication unit.8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the notificationunit notifies of information regarding the number of times of use orusing time of the medical device as the user support information on thebasis of the information from the medical device received by thecommunication unit.
 9. A medical device comprising: a connector unit forconnecting to a control device via a cable; a communication unit thatperforms radio communication with the control device by proximity radiocommunication; and a notification unit that notifies a user of usersupport information based on information from the control devicereceived by the communication unit.
 10. The medical device according toclaim 9, wherein the notification unit notifies the user whether thecontrol device and the medical device are officially compatible witheach other as the user support information.
 11. The medical deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the communication unit transmitsattribute information of the medical device to the control device andreceives compatibility information indicating whether the control deviceand the medical device are officially compatible with each othertransmitted from the control device, and the notification unit notifiesthe user whether the control device and the medical device areofficially compatible with each other as the user support information onthe basis of the received compatibility information.
 12. The medicaldevice according to claim 10, further comprising: a compatibilitydetermination unit that determines whether the control device and themedical device are officially compatible with each other on the basis ofattribute information of the control device received by thecommunication unit, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of adetermination result of the compatibility determination unit as the usersupport information.
 13. The medical device according to claim 12,wherein a determination criterion when the compatibility determinationunit determines whether the control device and the medical device areofficially compatible with each other on the basis of the attributeinformation of the control device is able to be updated.
 14. The medicaldevice according to claim 10, wherein the notification unit furthernotifies the user whether electrical connection between the controldevice and the medical device is stable as the user support informationin a state where the connector unit is connected to the control device.15. The medical device according to claim 9, wherein the notificationunit notifies the user whether an orientation of the connector unitmatches a connector joint of the control device as the user supportinformation in a state where the connector unit is not connected to thecontrol device.
 16. The medical device according to claim 9, wherein thenotification unit notifies the user whether sterilization treatment ofthe medical device is already performed as the user support information.17. The medical device according to claim 9, wherein the notificationunit notifies the user of information regarding the number of times ofuse or using time of the medical device as the user support information.18. A medical device system comprising: a control device; and a medicaldevice connected to the control device via a cable, wherein the controldevice is provided with: a connector joint connected to a connector unitof the medical device; a first communication unit that performs radiocommunication with the connector unit of the medical device by proximityradio communication; a first notification unit that notifies a user ofuser support information based on information from the medical devicereceived by the communication unit; and the connector unit of themedical device is provided with: a second communication unit thatperforms radio communication with the first communication unit of thecontrol device by proximity radio communication; and a secondnotification unit that notifies the user of the user support informationbased on information from the control device received by the secondcommunication unit.